- It was imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on June 4, 2019.
- Friday is also World Environment Day, which is observed annually on June 5.
Image: FILE
The ban on single-use plastics in forest reserves came into effect on Friday.
Friday is also World Environment Day, which is observed annually on June 5.
The ban was imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on June 4, 2019.
The banned plastics include disposable plastic water bottles, disposable cutlery, non–woven plastic carrier bags, plastic cotton bud sticks, confectionery and snack wrappers, disposable sanitary items, wet wipes and single-use toiletries packaged in plastics, among others.
“The service encourages use of alternatives such as wooden and metallic containers, reusable plastic/glass bottles, reusable carrier bags, refillable soap containers and other eco-friendly materials,” chief conservator of forests Julius Kamau said.
No single-use plastic will be allowed in accommodation facilities in forest reserves, nature trails, picnic sites, tree platforms, boardwalks, canopy walks, guided tours, adventure activities, quarry sites, construction sites and installation sites.
Kamau said the rule applies to public forests managed by the Kenya Forest Service, which comprise 2.59 million hectares (6.4 million acres), and those managed by the county governments and communities that make up 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres).
“Due to this expansive coverage of forest reserves and the many facilities and activities found within the forests, the service has developed guidelines for the implementation of this national ban with an overall goal of contributing to sustainable management of plastic waste in the country,” he said.
Subsequently, all forest conservancies and stations will roll out programmes to educate stakeholders, promote appropriate alternatives to single-use plastics, sensitise communities on forest laws and regulations, and ensure the ban is fully enforced.
Kamau said the service will gradually replace the use of polythene tubes to raise tree seedlings with alternatives such as Swaziland beds, root trainers and unigrow trays. KFS has developed a transition plan and a recycling policy.
“The Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 Section 67 (8b) prohibits dumping waste in a forest without authority and any person convicted of this, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh3 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both,” he said.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has already written to stakeholders to support the ban.
In the letter dated May 28, he said the government is mandated to provide a clean and healthy environment for all Kenyans.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 defines a protected area as geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means.
Balala said the Act addresses pollution and makes it an offence to pollute protected areas.
“The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 provides for the development and sustainable management, including conservation and rational utilisation of all forest resources for socioeconomic development of the country and other connected purposes,” he wrote.
“The ministry, therefore wishes to urge you to jointly work towards the full implementation of this ban on single-use plastics in all our protected areas, including national parks, beaches, forests and other conservation areas.”
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya